Doll

ABSTRACT

A doll comprised of a body formed of a flexible material such as cloth and filled with a solid particulate filler. The body has an opening at the top thereof between the arms with a separate head inserted therein, the head having a solid extension emanating downwardly therefrom into the cavity of the body within the filler material. The dimensions of the doll are such so that it has a low center of gravity, enabling the doll to be readily self-standing on its own feet.

United States Patent Goldfarb et al.

1*May 13, 1975 DOLL Inventors:

Assignee:

Notice:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

Adolph E. Goldfarb, Tarzana; Judith D. Strader; George C. Strader, both of San Dimas, all of Calif.

Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif.

The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to July 25, 1989, has been disclaimed.

Dec. 6, 1971 204,913

Related U.S. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 107,016, Jan. 18, 1971, Pat. No.

U.S. C1.....

Field of Search 46/151, 158, 157

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,997,810 8/1961 Bellas 46/158 3,678,616 7/1972 Goldfarb et a1 46/151 Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner.1. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert M. Ashen [57] ABSTRACT 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAY 1 31975 SHEET 2 0F 2 FIG. 4

DOLL

This is a Division, of Application Ser. No. lO7,0l6 filed Jan. I8, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,678,616.

Dolls and other objects ofa flexible material containing a separate filler are very old and well known. Some early forms of dolls were made of cloth, filled with granular material such as beans, corn, and the like. These are often referred to as stuffed dolls or toys. Other stuffings included cotton, wood and additional soft non-flowable material. The previous dolls having such non-flowable fillers were not readily self-standing. There is not sufficient weight in the lower portion of the doll to achieve the support for the body. Previously, the dolls in the shape of babies or human figures had norm. ly shaped bodies. In other words, the doll had relatively long legs and body dimensions such that the center o gravity of the doll was located in the middle thereof or above. This prevented the doll from readily assuming a standing position since the balance becomes extremely critical as the center of gravity is moved upward.

It should be pointed out that previously, dolls in the shape of babies or human figures were generally filled with the aforementioned soft fillers rather than solid hard particulate granules. The reason for this was to make the doll feel soft to the touch. Such dolls, as indicated, were not capable of assuming a self-standing position. When solid particulate fillers were used, the dolls usually assumed animal configurations. Once again, these dolls were not readily self-standing, since the center of gravity was too close to the center and the configuration of the doll did not provide sufficient support in the legs.

A further point to be noted in the prior art is that where solid particulate fillers were utilized, generally the head portion was integrally formed with the doll body and was also filled with the particles. A significant problem results in attempting to utilize a separate molded head and affix that head to a particle filled flexible body such that the head remains generally erect, yet can be permitted to bend at the neck to assume dif ferent positions.

Thus an object of this invention is to provide a doll of flexible material having a solid particulate filling therein such that it is self-standing.

A further object of this invention is to provide a doll having a flexible body with solid particulate filler and a separate molded head affixed to the body that can be maintained in selected upright positions.

The above objects of this invention are accomplished by a doll having a body comprised of an enclosed outer casing of flexible material formed with contiguous arms and legs. The doll body has an opening at the top thereof to which a separate molded head can be affixed. The body is filled with solid particulate flowable material which allows the body to assume various positions. The doll body is constructed to have relatively short legs and an enlarged torso toward the bottom portion thereof to provide a low center of gravity below the center of the doll. This permits the doll to be readily self-standing. Extending downwardly from the neck portion of the separate head into the body cavity and into the particulate material, is a flat paddlelike member which provides resistance to relative movement between the member and the solid particulate filler. Thus, the member cooperate with the filler to maintain the head in selectively controlled positions. Preferably, the downwardly extending member is in the form of two intersecting flat surfaces normal to each other in a form of a cross. This serves to stabilize the head against both forward and backward as well as sideways movement.

It is believed the invention will be further understood from the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned front view of the doll of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned side view of the doll of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial view of an alternate embodiment of a stabilizer and neck portion of a doll of this invention.

Turning now to the Figures, there is seen the doll 11 of this invention. The doll is comprised of a body 13 of a flexible material such as cloth or the like which defines an inner cavity 15. The body 13 of this embodiment is in the shape of a human body having legs 17 and 19, and arms 21 and 23 respectively, formed thereon extending from a torso portion 25. The body 13 is entirely enclosed except for openingsat the outer ends of the arms '21 and 23 and at the top 27 thereof in the neck region of the doll. In this embodiment, separate hands 20 of molded plastic or the like are inserted in the open ends of the arms and can be tied or appropriately affixed or sealed thereto. Obviously the hands, if desired, can be integrally formed with the flexible body material. However, by molding separte hands, a more lifelike appearance is achieved.

Unlike the hands, the feet 31 of the doll are pad-like and can have, for example, a flexible plastic protective layer 33 on the bottom surface 34 thereof. The bottom surface 34 is relatively large, desirably having dimen sions essentially as large as or larger than the cross section of the legs 17 and 19. As can be seen, mainly for appearance purposes, the legs 17 and 19 can be restricted slightly by woven thread or the like at an ankle area 35. This serves to give the appearance of more distinct feet on the doll. Below the ankle area 35, the feet 31 are preferably large in cross sectional dimension as compared to the legs 17 and 19. The large feet 31 with large bottom surfaces 34 provide a broad and stable base for the doll. To further aid in stabilizing the doll so that it can readily stand, the legs 17 and 19 are relatively short as compared to the torso portion 25. Thus, it is preferred in this type of doll that the length of the legs from the crotch 37 to the bottom surface 34 of the feet is substantially less than the length of the torso from the neck 27 to the crotch. This is significantly opposite from the construction of most other dolllike bodies wherein the length of the legs is at least equal to or greater than the length of the torso portion. By having relatively short legs the doll has increased stability since this aids in lowering the center of gravity as will trated doll, filled with readily flowing filler material 39 is stood upright on its own two feet 31, the particles will settle downwardly of their own accord within the body. This tends to shift the center of gravity downwardly to reduce the tendency of the doll to tip or fall over. For example, it has been found that particles of polyethylene provide a suitable filler material. Various other polymeric materials can be utilized including mixtures thereof. For example, where it is preferred to provide a relatively lightweight structure yet achieve the desired end results, the doll can be filled with a mixture of expanded styrene beads and plain styrene pellets. It is of course most desirous to select a filler material that is relatively inert and will not be harmful to the child if it becomes exposed or emitted from the doll body. Other fillers which are non-injurious to children can be utilized rather than the polymeric types, including, for example, beans and similar grain particles. In order to allow flexibility and movement of the doll limbs, the cavity is filled to about 80 and to 90 percent of its volume with the filler material. This, of course, does not account for void spaces between the particles but rather is in terms of leaving a vacant area 41 at the top of the doll cavity when all of the filler has settled downwardly. This permits ready flexibility of the limbs of the doll.

The general conformation of the doll body, in addition to having relatively short legs as previously metnioned, includes a pronounced enlarged rear protrusion 42 in the rump areaof the doll. Thus, the shape of the torso 25 is such that it generally enlarges toward the rump area 42, as can be seen in FIG. 2. This provides a large weight distribution below the center of the doll and lowers the center of gravity thereof, since most of the filler material is located below the center of the doll 43 as determined along its longitudinal length from the top of the head to the bottom thereof.

The doll of the invention is provided with a molded head 45 preferably of vinyl or a similar relatively soft material so it can be squeezed. However, this is'not a mandatory requirement and the head could be of a hard plastic. The head 45 is provided with an opening 47 at the neck 48 thereof. Inserted through this opening 47 is a stabilizing means in the form of a stabilizer 49 which has a cylindrical portion 51 that conforms to the inner diameter of the opening.

The stabilizer 49 has a flat top portion 59 as seen in FIG. 3. Integrally formed tabular portions 55 of the top portion 53 extend beyond the diameter of the opening 47, thus preventing the head from being readily pulled off of the stabilizer 49 after it is inserted therein. The top flat portion 53 is inserted through the neck of the doll by tilting the stabilizing means so that one tabular portion 55 is first placed through the neck opening 47 and then the other portion. Alternatively, where the neck is of a relatively deformable material, the top portion 53 can be snapped into place by merely forcing it through the neck opening 47. 7

Below the cylindrical portion 51 located in the neck of the doll, the stabilizer 49 has a reduced diameter portion 57 providing a collar on which the material of the doll can be tied by a string 59 or the like. This The stabilizer 49 is flared outwardly from the collar 57 at 60 and has a cylindrical section 61 extending downwardly therefrom. Section 61 is particularly desirable in that it presents a portion that can be grasped when serves to tightly secure the stabilizer 49 to the body. I

the doll is lifted or carried by holding it just below the neck area as is commonlydone. Without section 61 the I material 21 would be merely pinched togetherwithout providing a good grasp of the doll. Below the cylindri- I cal section 61 and extending downwardly therefrom.

into the cavity of the doll isthe main stabilizing section 63 which is formed of four flat elongated blades 65 at right angles to each other forming a cross-like member. The section 63 thus, in effect, represent two flat sur- H faces intersecting each other at right angles. The entire stabilizer 49 is preferably formed of a singlepiece of molded plastic or the like, with the blades 65 integrally 3 formed as parts thereof. The blades 65 presentrela I tively broad surfaces which provide resistance to the bottom ofthe cylindrical section 61 and above the blades 65 provides a relatively large area incontact with the particulate filler within the body. This serves t to support the elevation of the head and prevent the head 45 from unduly sinking down into the body. The head normally will move slightly downwardly to a degree that the fabric of the flexible covering will partially surround the neck of the doll at 69 so that the stabilizer 49 is not seen.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate construction of a doll wherein the dolls head has an elongated generally c ylindrical neck portion 71. Thetorso 73 is tied or otherwise secured to the neck portion at a point 75-spaced above its lower end 77 so that the lower end extends down into the body cavity. A stabilizer 79 which can be, for example, a flat plate, is secured within a plug"v 1 means 81 adjacent the top83 of the neck. The plug means can be molded plastic or can be a stuffing of cotton or similar material including foamed plastic. {The bottom surface 85 of the plug means 81, together with the bottom 77 of the neck 71, presents an effective surface normal to the stabilizer element 79. Furthenthe; bottom surface 85 of the plug means prevents particu-v late matter fromentering the preferably hollow head of M the doll. Further, the elongated portionof the neck ex- I tending from point 75 into the cavity serves as a bulk means which can be grasped by a child when, lifting orf carrying the doll while serving to protect the stabilizer element 79 from being bent or crushed. Additionally, this elongated portion .85 further serves as additional,

stabilizing .means for the head of the doll.

We claim: 1. A doll comprising: a hollow body formedof a ing from a bottom end of said torso,

solid particulate filler material disposedjwithin and" partly filling said body, said torso having a front side and a rear torsohaving a rearwardly protruding portion extending from the rear side adjacent the bottom end i of saidtorso to provide a substantially enlarged g cross-section through said torso'at said bottomend, j 1 the doll thereby being provided with a relatively} J flexible material, saidj body having a hollow torso, and a pair of hollow; legs connected at their upper ends to and depend- I side, said low center of gravity and a consequent high degree of stability against sideward tilting,

the upper ends of the hollow legs each being open and in internal communication with the bottom end of said torso to permit the ready flow of particulate filler material between the torso and legs to facilitate arranging the doll in a relatively stable, upright, balanced position.

2. The doll of claim 1 wherein:

the length of said torso of said body from the top to bottom thereof is greater than the length of said legs.

3. The doll of claim 1 also including a head mounted atop said torso.

4. The doll of claim 3 further including a pair of hollow arms connected at their upper ends to and extending outwardly from an upper portion of said torso, the upper ends of the hollow arms each being open and in internal communication with said torso to permit the ready flow of particulate material between the torso and the arms.

5. The doll of claim 3 also including an elongated stabilizer fixed to said head and extending downwardly therefrom into the solid particulate filler material to facilitate positioning and then maintaining the head in a determined orientation relative to the body so as to aid in arranging the doll' in a relatively stable, upright, balanced position.

6. The doll of claim 1 wherein the solid particulate filler material comprises particles having a relatively low coefficient of surface friction to render them readily flowable.

7. The doll of claim 1 wherein said solid particulate filler material occupies at least about 3/4 of the hollow body. 

1. A doll comprising: a hollow body formed of a flexible material, said body having a hollow torso, and a pair of hollow legs connected at their upper ends to and depending from a bottom end of said torso, solid particulate filler material disposed within and partly filling said body, said torso having a front side and a rear side, said torso having a rearwardly protruding portion extending from the rear side adjacent the bottom end of said torso to provide a substantially enlarged cross-section through said torso at said bottom end, the doll thereby being provided with a relatively low center of gravity and a consequent high degree of stability against sideward tilting, the upper ends of the hollow legs each being open and in internal communication with the bottom end of said torso to permit the ready flow of particulate filler material between the torso and legs to facilitate arranging the doll in a relatively stable, upright, balanced position.
 2. The doll of claim 1 wherein: the length of said torso of said body from the top to bottom thereof is greater than the length of said legs.
 3. The doll of claim 1 also including a head mounted atop said torso.
 4. The doll of claim 3 further including a pair of hollow arms connected at their upper ends to and extending outwardly from an upper portion of said torso, the upper ends of the hollow arms each being open and in internal communication with said torso to permit the ready flow of particulate material between the torso aNd the arms.
 5. The doll of claim 3 also including an elongated stabilizer fixed to said head and extending downwardly therefrom into the solid particulate filler material to facilitate positioning and then maintaining the head in a determined orientation relative to the body so as to aid in arranging the doll in a relatively stable, upright, balanced position.
 6. The doll of claim 1 wherein the solid particulate filler material comprises particles having a relatively low coefficient of surface friction to render them readily flowable.
 7. The doll of claim 1 wherein said solid particulate filler material occupies at least about 3/4 of the hollow body. 